Officials investigate brush fire

July 31, 1997

FALLING WATERS, W.Va. - Fire officials said they were investigating a brush fire Wednesday in a wooded area near powerlines off Grade Road to determine if it had been deliberately set.

Firefighters worked for about two hours to put out the fire, which was called in at about 11:30 a.m., according to Bedington Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Robinson. He said the blaze charred about two acres of grass and underbrush.

"It appears to have been set. There was some four-wheeler activity up there," said Sgt. J.B. Jenkins of the Department of Natural Resources law enforcement section.

Robinson also said that residents in a nearby neighborhood had heard people riding all-terrain cycles in the area about the time the fire broke out.

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Bedington was assisted by brush and tanker units and personnel from Hedgesville, W.Va., Williamsport, Halfway and Fairplay. Robinson said about 20 firefighters were at the scene.

The location of the fire made it impossible to get any of the vehicles close to the blaze, officials said.

Robinson said a couple of brush trucks worked their way as close as possible to the fire and then firefighters went in on foot to knock it out with rakes and shovels.